International League Players of the Week
June 11, 2012 - International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Scranton/Wilkes-Barre first baseman Russell Branyan and Rochester pitcher Liam Hendriks have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from June 4-10. Hendriks is the first Rochester player to win an IL weekly award this season, while Branyan becomes the fourth member of the SWB Yankees to be so honored (following Dewayne Wise, Steve Pearce, and Ramon Ortiz).
RUSSELL BRANYAN, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
Veteran slugger Russell Branyan began the 2012 season on the disabled list with a back injury. Finally activated on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's roster June 2, it took Branyan just five games to make a big time impact. He led his club to a 12-8 victory on Tuesday with a two-homer, 6-RBI performance. He would also go deep in three of his next four games. For the week, Branyan led the International League with five home runs, 12 RBI, and a 1.222 slugging percentage while finishing 3rd in on-base percentage and 6th in batting average. Five of his seven hits this week were home runs.
36-year-old Russell Branyan has played professionally since 1994, appearing in over 1,000 Major League games with the Indians, Reds, Brewers, Rays, Padres, Phillies, Cardinals, Mariners, Diamondbacks, and Angels. He was last named IL Batter of the Week in July of 1999 while with the Buffalo Bisons. Branyan is a native of Warner Robins, Georgia.
LIAM HENDRIKS, Rochester Red Wings IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Leading the League in wins, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts for the week, Rochester right-hander Liam Hendriks was a clear choice to be named IL Pitcher of the Week. Following the completion of a suspended game on Monday, Hendriks went the distance in the second game that evening. He shutout the Clippers on four hits in the 7-inning affair, striking out eight with just one walk allowed as the Wings cruised to a 4-0 victory. Hendriks was arguably even more impressive on Saturday in Indianapolis. He came within one out of making it back-to-back complete game shutouts, as he surrendered only three singles over 8.2 innings in a 2-0 Rochester triumph. Hendriks is unbeaten in seven starts at the Triple-A level this season.
23-year-old Liam Hendriks is in his fifth season pitching professionally. He is 0-4 in eight starts as a member of the Minnesota Twins dating back to last season. Hendriks is a native of Perth, Australia.
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- International League Players of the Week - IL1
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